New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-04
FAMOUS CHESS MEN TO MEET.
MACKENZIE AND BLACKBURNE COMING.

MACKENZIE AND BLACKBURNE COMING.
THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND THE RECORDS MADE
BY THEM,
The arrival of Captain George II. Mackenzie ard
}. II. Blaskburne, the two leading players of the
Frankfort chess tournament Will make red letter
day in the chess history OF this country and chess
players of all grades await their coming with anxious
expectancy. Never since the days of Paul Morphy
and Andersen have such fOemen OF the pawns net,
and the match which the New-York Chess Club is
arranging between the two gentlemen has simply
clouded all other matters In the chess world. Tho
two players left England last Wednesday and are
expected IN this city tomorrow or next day. The
New-York Chess Club intends to show far posi-
BILE its appreciation of a member who faced the
mighty meu of all Europe and came out OF the strog-
gle splendid victor.
Captain Mackenzie, for he Is the whom the
club sent to Frankfort, has become widely known in
chess circles on the two Continents. Until q few
years ago his ability not considered at all won
derfu but In the lsst few years he has improved
greatly, his work In the last tournament plainly
shows. Fer long time he has been considered
theoretically genius, but in matches with players of
known ability he has not heretofore been courageous
enough to play his bost. and was beaten because no
lacked pluck. Captain Mackenzie is a scotchman by
BIRTH and unlike another chess player of prominence,
is extremely proud of his native land. His title OF
captain was won by him in the uniform OF British
ambitious temperament and he sold HE commission
anu came to tins country about the time when the
war Of tue Rebellion broke out. Here be also entered
military life and again to the rank OF captain,
but his farther advancement stopped by the
battle Of Appomattox, which caused his mastering ont
of the service. He hardly remember when he
could not play chess He possesses that peculiar
analytic faculty that Is essential in game IL which
oiDbD ativns most complicated are used His
lamentations of celebrated maches have been looked
to authority beyond which there appeal,
audbl saa q -/ukertOrL champOn-
ship match that he wrote at the time tor TRIB-
UNE were highly priced by all chess players and form
portion OF all the enthusiastic libraries.
Since leaving military life Captain Mackenzie has
made excellent living over the shess board He is
this country and he has frequently been called upon
to play Simultaneous matches with fifteen or twenty
of the Manhattan or New-York Chess Clubs best
players, and ne invariably won all except two or
three often drawing q game with IL e more expert
contestants His last contest OF the kind wss on the
OF his departure for Europe to enter the tourney
players and drew game. Shortly before that he
returned from aa extensive tour throughout this
OF the vsrious clubs His last match in this city
with Lipschultz, a welknown and able player
who has figured in the European tournaments.
The Captain won the match easily. Amy
one TO see him wouid know Immediately that he had
spent some tine In military employment He Is tall
and straight and possesses that peculiar grace OF
action and easy manner that the gentlemen OF the
British army are noted for. He is about fifty years
old and wears q long flowing mustache and goatee
Mr.. Blackburne, CAPTAIN MaokenZie's coming aDtag
onst for the cham pionshlp of the world, Is moi we'll
know IN this country as the captain except In the
narrow limits OF chess enthusiastic. lie has oeen
prominent expert tor the last twenty years dur
log which he has met ana defeated the champions Of
all Europe. 1t was at his defeat In 1876 that VIII
lam Steinitz, rho beat him. dubbed himself the cham
pion of the world although he added to his auIes by
beating his latest contestant for that honor Zuker
tort, Ia tournament, some time after Mr.. Steintz,
however. Is accused 10y many chess PLAYERS of reius-
ing give Bsokburne opportunity TO contest with
him again that difficult problem except under the
most strenuous of circumstances, which Mr.. Black
burne could not think OF accepting However that
NAV De- Mr. Stenits Is not considered In this contest
for the worlds championship, although he supposed
to hold It, The members OF the Newf0rk Chess
Club willing to back their tayorite Captain
Mackenzie, against the champion FOR any amount
tina, he may covcr. Mr.. Backburne Ia celebrated
wherever there lie set OF uhessmen tor his wonderful
Simultaneous bliudfoded contest Ii 10 common thing
tor him TO play eighteen first class amateurs without
seeing either the boards his opponents and he will
win large majority OF the games lie Last met Mr..
steinitz in Match In 1876. His standing In the
tournament was next to Captain dsokenTes when
he thirteen and onc-haf games out OF possible
twenty aud Mackenzie won fifteen games under the
same conditions. The two have met in matches and
tournaments and the majority OF victories Is on the
nce OF the NewYork Cubs favorite. In touina-
ments however 1t Is ddicrt and also unfair to gauge
9 players ability by his success The contests are
usually long and wearsome aud men OF strong physi-
cal natures have been known to break down and
become complete wrecks before the end OF the tourna
msnt
Captain Mackenzie's victory at Frankfort has
placed him ia different position from what be pre-
viousy occupied Tor 1t showed that he IS physically
and mentally strong enough to face such men as
Backburne Zukertort besides Others OF almost equal
ability and come away the champion. Mr.. Black
burne and Mr.. Zukertort played q match game last
May IN the roops of the British Chess Club, in Lon
don, for purse contributed by members OF the CLUB
Mr. Blackb urne the victor by the score OF eight
to one He Is an Engshmin and Is the pet Of the
London Chess Clubs and be vilbe heavily backed by
their members in bis contest with Mackenzie. tic is
credited with having one fault that has frequently
been disastrous to him. In all the games In London,
play begins dinner and ends after dinner. and
Mr.. Black bnIne like most OF his countrymcn enjoys
good dinner and be INDUCES In the good 81 ings bott
solid and liquid. too freely for his good as chess
player. He as often lost games after Bis dinner that
an amateur could win before. This will be hs inst
trip to this country and his welcome will be royal
ore Not only have yachtsmen 10 uphold the honor
Of America but chessmen too, and brilliant aud IN
terestng contest s looked for All the arrangements
Tor the match havo not yet been completed and they
cannot be until the players arrive. But the club
under who's. auspices tho contest will take pince 10
using every effort to make the game success IN every
respect.